Translation guide
The English word "what" is used in many different ways: asking for information, showing surprise, asking for repetition, and more. In Japanese, there is no single word that covers all these uses. This guide breaks down the most common functions of "what" and shows how to express them naturally in Japanese.
The speaker wants to know the identity, nature, or content of something.
The basic question word for 'what'. Used with the copula です or verbs. Pronounced なん before です, だ, and certain counters.
What is this?
何を食べますか。
What will you eat?
The form used before です, だ, and certain counters. It is the same word as なに but with a sound change.
The speaker didn't hear or understand and wants the other person to repeat or explain.
Polite way to ask 'What is it?' or 'What did you say?'. Can sound blunt if used alone; often softened with すみません.
すみません、何ですか。
Excuse me, what is it?
Casual interjection meaning 'Huh?' or 'What?'. Very common in informal speech.
え？何て言ったの？
Huh? What did you say?
Polite request for repetition: 'Once more, please.' Often used instead of a direct 'what?'.
すみません、もう一度お願いします。
Sorry, could you say that again?
The speaker reacts to unexpected information with an exclamation.
Casual exclamation: 'What?!' or 'No way!'. Used when shocked by what someone said.
何だって？本当？
What?! Really?
Sharp, short interjection of surprise. Similar to 'What?!' in English.
えっ？嘘でしょ。
What? You're kidding.
Expresses disbelief: 'No way!' or 'It can't be!'. Often used when something seems impossible.
まさか、そんなことがあるなんて。
What? I can't believe that happened.
The speaker wants to know the type, category, or selection from a set.
Means 'what kind of' or 'what sort of'. Used to ask about characteristics.
どんな音楽が好きですか。
What kind of music do you like?
Means 'which' when choosing from a specific set of items. Must be followed by a noun.
どの本があなたのですか。
Which book is yours?
The speaker wants to know the purpose or reason.
Literally 'for what purpose'. Used to ask 'what for' or 'why'.
何のために日本に来たのですか。
What did you come to Japan for?
Formal/literary 'why'. Can be used in place of 'what for' in many contexts.
なぜそんなことをしたのですか。
Why did you do such a thing?
The speaker wants to bring up a new topic or ask for an opinion on something.
The speaker notices something is amiss and wants to know the situation.
Casual way to ask 'What's wrong?' or 'What happened?'. Polite form is どうしましたか.
どうしたの？元気ないね。
What's wrong? You look down.
Literally 'What happened?'. More direct than どうしたの.
何があったの？教えて。
What happened? Tell me.
The speaker wants to know a specific time or date.
Means 'what time'. Used to ask for the hour.
今、何時ですか。
What time is it now?
Means 'what day of the week'.
今日は何曜日ですか。
What day is it today?
English uses 'what' in many fixed phrases (e.g., 'what a pity', 'what's up', 'what if') that do not translate literally to 何. Always consider the function of the phrase rather than the word 'what' itself.
When asking for a choice among options, use どの or どれ instead of 何. When asking for a method, use どうやって. When asking for a reason, なぜ or どうして may be more natural than 何で.